Meth labs down in state, but reports climbing in region

After steadily climbing since 2008, it was encouraging to see the number of statewide methamphetamine lab seizures and encounters actually dropped in 2013.

Meanwhile, in west-central Illinois, yearly figures are less positive. Locally, the meth problem is as pervasive as ever.

From 2011 to 2013, meth labs encountered in Morgan County jumped from seven to 17. In both Pike and Scott counties, figures are on the decline, maintaining low numbers of those incidents — including zero labs in Scott County last year. Other surrounding counties are seeing fairly static figures.

Both the increases and declines in the numbers of encountered could be attributed to the same thing: the changing ways to manufacture methamphetamine.

Jacksonville Police Chief Tony Grootens said looking at annual crime statistics for Jacksonville, arrests for meth possession have jumped quite a bit over the past few years — 14 arrests in 2011, 21 arrests in 2012 and 47 arrests in 2013.

The expected reason why this would be so and encountered lab statistics remain relatively static, is believed to be the growing prevalence of the one-pot — or “shake and bake” — method of manufacturing.

“It is harder to find, and statistics are deceiving anyway,” he added.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Pat Frazier agreed that one-pot cooks might skew the numbers, on that manufacturers run less risk in being caught trying to steal anhydrous ammonia and can purchase — or find an easier time shoplifting — most ingredients needed.

“We’re also seeing more meth ice, which is manufactured out west or in Mexico,” Frazier said. “Meth being imported, so that might be a reason labs are down.”

Frazier does most of his work out of Adams County, which for many years was the number-one county in terms of reported meth labs. In 2013, one incident in Adams County was a discovery of 504 one-pot cooks that had been stored on one property and never discarded. Despite the high number, it still counted as one lab. Since that can compare to one bottle used in a cook being found in a separate incident.

Despite the lab seizure rate’s inability to reflect scale, it’s another reason why the figure may not reflect how drastic the situation in local communities may be.

This year, Adams County’s figure dropped.

“Ours are only six labs less, but we’re as busy as ever,” Frazier said.

Madison County has taken over the dubious distinction of leading the state in number of meth labs. In 2013, there were 80 lab seizures. The year before there were 36.

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Cody Bozarth can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 233, or on Twitter @JCnews_Cody.